Soap-press.



B. H. BEGKER & J. GIESLA.

SOAP PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 25, 1912.

Patented Sept. 15, 1914..

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

THE NORRIS FETERS C0,, FHOTU-LITHQ, WASHINGTON, D, C-

B. H. BECKER & J. CIBSLA.

SOAP PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 25, 1912.

Patented Sept. 15, 1914.

4 SHBETSSHEET 2.

YHE NORRIS PETERS C0). PHO70 LITI10.. WASHINGTON. D. C.

B. H. BEG-KER & J. GIESLA.

SOAP PRESS.

APPLICATION IILED NOV. 25, 1912.

Patented Sept. 15,1914.

4 SHBETSSHEET 3 B. H. BECKER & J. CIBSLAv SOAP PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 25, 1912.

Patented Sept. 15, 1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

THE NORRIS PETERS 60.. PHOTO LITHO.. WASHINGTON: D. c.

UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE.

BENJAMIN I-I, BECKER AND JOHN CIESLA, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS TO JAMES S. KIRK &- GOMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF j ILLINOIS.

To all whom it mar concern: I

1% it known" that we, BENJAMTN' H. BECKER and JOHN cmsLm-bothcitizens of the United States, residing in Chicago,

1 county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improve ments in Soap-Presses, of which the follow- I ing is a specification.

Our invention relates to improvements in that class of presses which are used in the final steps of the manufacture of soap in cake form to give the blank cake its final or finished form and impress thereon characters indicating its source of manufacture, brand, etc. I i 1 ,The machine of our present invention is in the nature of an improvement upon a machine of similar character forming the subject matter ofa Patent No. 1,085,236, granted to us January 27,1914, and among the principal objects of the present invention are, to provide animproved feed'mech- I anism for the blanks, to provide an improved delivery mechanism for the finished cakes, both of which mechanisms shall be readily adjustable to accommodatethe han dling of blanks and cakes of different sizes, and to provide a llliLClllIlO of superior .efli- .ciency and capable of operating at a higher speed than has heretofore been possible in machines of'this class.

The machine of our invention, its mode of operation, and the advantages which are attained thereby, will all be readily understood when considered in connection with the followingdetail description and the accompanying drawings, in which latter- Figure 1 is a front elevational view. Fig.

2 is a side elevation, with parts omitted from the feeding-in side of the machine, showing the blank-feeding conveyer and main pusher in cross-section; Fig. 3 is a top plan view, partially brokenout. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail top plan view of the platform of the machine, showing the blankfeeding mechanism, the matrix, the blankcentering mechanism, and the adjustable auxiliary discharge conveyer. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 4. Figs. 6 and 7'are detailside and edge views, respectively,'of a portion of a lever that ac-.

' SOAP-PRESS.

tu ates the cross-feed pusher, and is provided with a frangible joint adapted to yield to avoid breakage, in the event of an obstruction to the pusher. Fig. 8 is a fragmentary Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Sept. 15, 1914' V i Application filedflovember25, 1912. Seria1N0.733,299. i i i side elevation of a portion of a connecting rod, forming a part of the operating mech anism of the longitudinal pusher and also provided with a frangible joint. Fig. 9 is a cross-section on the line 99 of Fig. 8."

Figs. 10 and 11 are detail viewsof parts of the tripping mechanism of the lower die member, showing two different positions 0 the same. I I

'Referring to the drawings, 5 designates each of a pair of skeleton side-frame members rigidly connectedat their upper ends by a table or platform 6, on whichlatter is secured a die-box or matrix 7'. Rigidly bolted to the table 6 is a pair of parallel upright frame members 8, best shown in.

Fig. 2, the forwardly projecting ends of which form a vertical slide-way 9, in which is reciprocably mounted a cross-head 10, to the lower end of which is securedthe upper die block 11. Within the cross-head 10' is a pair of upper andjlower springs 12 and 13, respectively, between which is clamped the forwardly projecting end of a rockingbeam 1 1, this latter being pivoted at 15 between the uprights 8. Journaled in rearwardly extendingbrackets 16 of the main frame and in a pedestal 17 is the main drivmg shaft 18, on which is an eccentric 19 connected by an eccentric-strap 20 and connecting-rod 21 to the lower end of the rocking-beam 141 for actuating the latter and the cross-heads 10.

22 designates the lower die member located within the matrix 7, and secured on the upper end of astem 23 that is slidably mounted in a bushing 24 secured to the under side of the table ,6. Fast on the stem 23 is a tappet 25 having a squared lower end and a tapered or beveled upper end 25.

The lower endof the stem 28 of the lower die member is 'guidingly supported in a bearing sleeve 26 secured to a cross-bar 27 of the main frame. 7

The lower die member 22 is raised to carry thecompressed cake out of the matr x 7 and to a position to be ejected from above 7 the matrix, by mechanism connected to and actuated from the cross-head and engaging the tappet 25. Thism'echanism comprises an arm 28 rigidly bolted to the up-j per end of the cross-head 10, avertical rod 29 adjustably connected to the arm' 28 by a collar 30 on said arm and a set screw 31,

said rod 29 extendingthrough and having a bearing in the table 6 and an underlying Y 10 v r a otally'mounted on the rod 29 near the lower bearing-sleeve 32, and a tappet-arm 33 pivend of the latternf The freeendof'the arm 33' isnorinally urged toward the die-stem 23 by va spring 34 connected at one end to the arm 33 and at its other end to a bracket 35 secured to the lower end of the rod 29.

, over the bevel .top 25 of the tappet 25 and engages the latter from beneath, and as the cross-head rises, the arm 33 T1568, ra1s1ng the tappet, the stem" 23, and the lower die member 22 for the elevation of the-pressed blank out of the die-box.

. has been accomplished, the arm 33 is disengaged from beneath the tappet 25 .bymeans 7 lower die-box, vits stem, andthe tappet 25' of a revolving segment-plate 36 (Figs. 10 and 11) that is fast on a, cross-shaft 37 of t the machine, and, at the proper time in each revolution, sweeps past an inclined wiperiinger 38 carried on the outer end of an arm 39 that is fast withthe hub of the arm 33. Fig IO illustrates the position of the parts just before the .segment plate has'engaged the wiper-finger, and Fig. 11, illus-r tratcs the laterally-offset position of the wiper-fingerand'its arm as the segmentplate sweeps past the same} .This allows the to; drop by gravity, to prepare the die-box for the receptionofthe next blank." The fall of the lower die member and its stem is cushioned by reason of the engagement ..;of--an arm $0 on the lower end of the die-- stem 23 with the upperarm of a lever 41 that is pivoted on a cross-rod l2 of the machine frame and the otherarrn'of which 'is connected to the upper endof a tension spring 43 anchored at at to a cross-bar 4:4 -of the, frame. The cross-shaft 37 carrying i die-stem 23, out of the path of the striker the segment-plate 36 is driven from the main shaft 18 by intermeshing bevel gears e5lancl46 on shafts 37 and. 18, respectively.-, Adjustably mountedin the arm 40 isa post eOQthe upper'end of which, when the die-stem 23is in raised position lies in the path of a striker 36' secured to one side of,

the revolving segment-plate 36. Normally the post 40 drops, with each descent of the 36 but in case the" lower die-member sticks, when ralsed, 1n the matrix, as occa- .blow forces vthe {die-stem the lower position;

As soon as this .sionally happens, the. striker 36 engages the head of the post e0 and by a quick and die down to Referring now to the mechanism for feedingthe blanks "to the die-box for compression between the upper and lower die members, 4:7 designates an endlessconveyer-belt that is mounted horizontally at the left side of the machine, the upper or blank-carrying lap-l of-said belt running between lateral guides e8that-are somounted, by means of slotted fastening brackets 49 and clamp" screws 50, as to be adjustabletoward and;

from each other to accommodate blanks of different widths; ;,a line of such blanks being. indicated at-51in'g Fig. 3.] l\lounted on a slide-way 52 alongside and parallel with the feeding in'conveyer 47 is a cross-head'- 53, to which is';c'onnected the stem 54 of the main longitudinal pusher, the head 55 of which slides over an auxiliary platform 56 that is flush with the u'pperlap of the con; veyer-belt 47 "and with the upperv end, of the die-box 7. The longitudinal pusher is reciprocated from the cross-shaft 37 by,

means ofa crank-arm57 on the free end of said shaft, a connecting-rod 58, a lever 59 fulcrumed at 60 to abracket 61 onone of the side-frame members 5, alink 62,and,- a depending arm 63 on the cross-head53,

as clearlyyshowniin ,l. In order to prevent possible injuryto the actuating mechanism of the longitudinal pusher throughi accidental jamming of the blanks, we so construct 5 this operating mechanism to 7 make ityieldable in. such an event, and the,

frangible joint which affords this yieldable feature we preferably locate in the connect ing-rod 58. Referring to the detail views, Figs. Sandi), it wi'll'be noted that said rod is made in' two alined sections 58 and 58 The latter section has a longitudinal split 64 extending some distance inwardly of its meeting end, and also a groove 65 formed the section 58 has secured thereto a tongue 66 that lies within thegroove 65, and is frictionally secured withinisaid groove bya clamp 67. This frictional connection is suflicient to maintain the twosections of in one side thereof opposite said split; while the connecting-rod 58 in working relation under the normal operation of the machine;

but in the event' of accidental jamming of the blanks so as toprevent the full forward movement of the'pusher-head, the sections of the connecting-rod. will yield, and so avoidbreakage of the parts. A x I 7 'On the auxiliary platform56is mounted a combined guide and stop consisting oftwo vertical muses and 69, thefornier of which,

extends across the inner end of the conveyerthelatter of which: extends at right angles to the wall 68 toward the die-box. The wall belt 4:7,and part way across the platform 56,

68' forms a stop for the fed forward by the conveyer-belt 47, and also a guide for'directing the travel of the foremost blank to a position directly in front of the pusher-head 55, and the wall 69 forms one lateral guide for the subsequent travel of the blank to aposition directly over the die-box. As best shown in the detail view, Fig. l, the guide-walls 68, 69, are

rendered adjustable width-wise of both the cross-passage 70 and the longitudinal passage 71 through which the pusher-head 55 operates by a fastening-bracket 72 having transverse slots 7 3 and fastening-screws 74 securing the same to underlying supports 7 5, and longitudinal slots 76 and fasteningscrews 77, securing said guiding and stop member thereto. The other side of the cross-passage 70 is formed by a wall 78, and the other side of the longitudinal passage 71 is formed by a wall 79 that is adjustable laterally by transverse slots 80 and fastening-screws 81. The inner end of the feedingin belt a7, the cross-passage 70, and the longitudinal passage 71 are preferably overlaid by a cover-plate 82 to prevent accidental upright displacement of a blank traveling through the passages 70 and 71. Reciprocably mounted in supports 83 carried by the table 6 is the stem 84: of a cross-pusher, the

The

head of which is indicated at 85. pusher-head 85 reciprocates across the inner end of the feeding-in belt 47 and through the cross-passage 70, and operates to succes sively force the blanks from the conveyerbelt across and into the path of movement of the longitudinal pusher-head 55. The actuating mechanism of the cross-pusher is best shown in Fig. 2 and comprises a grooved cam 86 fast on the cross-shaft 37, a lever 87 pivoted to the frame at88 and having a pin 89 engaging the groove of the cam, and a.

link 90 connecting the upper end of said Isver with the pusher-stem 84. The pusher-- stem- 84 is formed flush with one Vertical edge of the pusher-head 85, and forms a temporary stop or abutment for each blank" while the immediately preceding blank is being forced by the pusher-head across into the path of the longitudinal pusher-head 55. As soon as the pusher-head 85 retreats to the position shown in Fig. 4, the blank held back thereby immediately advances into engagement with the stop-plate 68 and in position to be engaged and advanced by the next forward movement of the cross-pusher.

In the; driving mechanism ofthe crosspusher we provide a frangible joint safety device of the same general nature and for the same purpose as that provided in the operating mechanism of the longitudinal pusher. This device, which is shown in the detail views, Figs. 6 and 7, is formed in the lever 87, which latter is made in two longitudinally alined sections 87 and 87 The blanks 51-as they are I meeting endsof these sections are connected by a pair of splints 91 secured thereto by upper and lower cross-bolts 92 and 93, re-

spectively, and said meeting ends are formed with an articulated joint 94 permitting relative angular swing thereof. The tendency to bend at the joint is resisted by a pair of stifi leaf-springs 95 secured to the edges of the uppersection 87* and overlapping the edges of the lower section 87 and said sections are further rigidly connected by small cross-pins 96 and 97 which, under undue strain, will shear and thus permit the joint to yield.

In Figs. 1 and 5'we show a mechanism for arresting and accurately centering each blank as it is forced by the pusher-head 55 to a position directly over the matrix and between the upper and lower die members.

98 designates each of a pair of arms having vertical hubs 99 by which they are mounted on pivot studs 100 carried by blocks 101 that are adjustably secured on a cross-shaft 102. The inner sides of the arms 98 are provided with non-metallic facing-blocks or pads,

preferably of rubber, and indicated at 103. The arms 98'have outwardly turnedextensions 98, to the free 'endsof which are secured depending downwardly and foutwardly inclined cam-plates-lO l. The centerlng armsare normally urged inwardly or toward each other across the upper side of the matrix by means of tension springs 105 secured at one end to rearwardly and o-utwardlyextending arms 106 on the hubs 99, andanchored at their other ends to screws 107 mounted in fixed brackets 108 on the machine frame. The inward swing of the centeringarms is adjusted and limited, accord ing to the width of the blank operated upon,

by adjustable stops in the form of screws 109 passed through depending lugs 110 on the arms 98 and adapted, at their inner ends, to engage the outer slde walls of the ma The means for spreading the centering arms in order to release the blank at the instant of its engagement by the die member comprises a rock-shaft 111 journaled in a bracket 112 and aflsupporting' block 127 hereafter referred to, and having keyed thereon a pair of inwardly and upwardly inclined cam-arms 113 that cooperate with the cam-plates 104, the :upward swing of said arms causing the'latter to engagewthe inclined surfaces of; the cam-plates, thus spreading the centering arms 98 in opposition to the spring 105, and the downward swing of said arms permitting the centering Y arms 98 to ap'proacheach other underthe impulse of said springs. The rock-shaft 111 is oscillated from the vertically reciprocating rod 29 by means of connections therebetween comprising a collar 11 1- (Fig 1) keyedto the lower end of the rod 29, a lever .link 11 8 pivotally connected at its lower end to the lever 115, and an arm 119 (Fig. 4) fast on. the rock-shaft 111 and pivotally connected tov the upper end of link 118.

From this it. will be apparent that the down ward movement of rod 29 will actuate. the rock-shaft 111 in a direction to spread the centering arms, while the opposite movement of the rod .29 will lower the cam-arms 113 and permit the inward or closing movement of the centering arms. Y

120 and 121 designate a pair of. rod mounted in brackets 122 and 123, respeca tively, secured to the frame of the machine,

the. rod 120 overlying the forward extension 98 of one of thecentering arms, and-the f rod :121underlying the rearward extension 106 of theother centering arm. The purpose of-these rods is to resist the upward thrust. on the centering arms caused by the action of the cams 113, and prevent undue wear and looseness, at the vertical pivot joints 100 of the. centering arms.

The blank arresting. and centering mechanismslast described is not claimed herein,.

but forms in part the subject-matter of, our application Serial No. 67 5,142, 1 beforereferred to. H I

.124 (Fig.1) designates an endless conveyer-belt suitably. mounted on the 0pp0-, site side of the matrix'from the feedingin mechanism to effect the delivery from the machine of theshaped and stamped cakes of soap. The inner end of the discharge conveyor 124 is mounted ona drum 125 that is journaled between supporting brackets 126 rigid withthe sideframe 5. In order to bridge the space between the inner end of the main discharge conveyer 124 and the matrix, we provide a. short auxiliary discharge conveyer which is so constructed and mounted as to be capable of a limited adj ustment bodily in the direction of its length so as to serve matrices of different sizes forming cakes-of diflerent lengths.

' 127 designatesa supporting block secured to the. table 6 andformed in its opposite sides with grooves 128 in which are mounted narrow plates 129, in and between the outer ends of' which are journaled rolls 130, over whichis trained the endless auxiliary conveyer-belt 131. The plates 129 are formed with longitudinal slots l32, through which and through holes in the block-127 are passed-clamping bolts 133. By reason of this construction it will be readily seen that the auxiliary conveyer-belt and its supports can be adjusted longitudinally to cooperate withmatrices of different lengths; themechlies the forward end of the main machine. To the upper side of theiblock 127, on opposite sides of the -upkper section of the conveyer-belt. are securedbysscrews 134 horizontal strips 135,"'to which latter are secured by angle. brackets 136 vertical guide walls 137; the-feet of .the angle bracket 136 being slotted, as shown. at138 to receive fastening screws 139, by which the. guide. walls 137 maybe bodily adjusted laterally. The. rear ends of the strips 135 are connected by anarrow bridge piece1'40 that over- 124, as clearlyshown in Fig. 1.

In theo-peration ofthe machine, the rec. tangular blanks are. supplied to the outer end of the feeding-in conveyer 47 by the at tendant, and by said conveyer are carried in close juxtaposition inwardly of the machine. As soon as the. foremost; blank engages the stop and guide wall 68 it is engaged laterally by the head 85 of the cross-pusher and forced sidewise through thecross-passage for-medby the platform 56 and the walls 68 and '7 8 into the path: of the main longitudi nal pusher-head '55 which, at this instant, is fully retracted. During this movement of the cross-pusher, its stem 84 forms a temporary stop for the line of blanks, and assoon as the cross-pusher is fully retracted, the next foremost blank'moves into position to be operated upon by the cross-pusher. While this is taking place, the forward movement of the main pusher 55 advances QO F ber 11 and-is compressed and stamped with in thematrix. On the rise of the upper of the matrix by the lower die'niember, and isat that instant pushed forward by the next advancing blank onto the auxiliary conveyer 131, by which it is transferred to the main delivery-conveyer .124; the finished die member, thestamped cake is lifted out cakes being removed from the latter by. at-

tendants for wrapping and packing.

' To adapt a machine to the handling of larger orsmaller blanks, the side walls of the guide passages are adjusted to a ccome. mo-date the new size, the propersized matrix is substituted, thecentering "arms are: ad-

justed, and the auxiliaryv 'conveyer. isy' bodily adjusted as may be necessary to place it in cooperative, relation with the new matrix. These adjustments require but 3a small amount of time and labor, and give the'machine a capacity for handlingquitea varietyof sizes and shapes of soap. Withthe various cooperating parts accurately adjusted and timed, the machine is capable of operating reliably at a high speed without jamming or producing imperfect specimens of the product. Itwillbe manifest to those skilled in the art that the' novel' features forms thereof herein illustrated without in-z vo-lving any departure from the substance; of'the lIlYGDtlOliOl the princ ples 0f"opera- I 7 tion underlying thesame.

We cla1ni- 1. In a soap-press, the combination of a matrix, and a lower die-member having. a

depending stem, of means for raising said lower die-member to eject a stal'i'iped from said matrix and allowing it to fall, means for cushioning the tall or said lower die-member, and means lt'or positively torcing said die-member downwardly in the event of its failure to fall. j

2. In a soap-press, the combination of a matrix-pocket, an upper die, a reciprocatory stem carrying said upper die, a reciprocatory member adapted tooperate said stem, a spring interposed between said reciprocatory member and said. stem, a lower die in said pocket, a reciprocatory stem for said lower vdie 0 erative connections between sald reciprocatory stem and said reciprocatory member for raising SillCl lOWl' die in said pocket, and release mechanism permit-ting:

thelower die to drop in said pocket; 7

3. In a soap-press, the combination of a matrix-pocket, an upper die, a'reciprocatory stem carrying said upper die, a reciprocatory member adapted to operate said stem, a

spring interposed between saidreciprocatory member and said stem, a lower die in said pocket, a reciprocatory stem forsaid lower die, a reciprocatory rod operatively connected to said reciprocatory member, an arm on said rodadapted to engage ai projectionon said lower stem. and raise'said lower die, and release mechanism synchronized with said reciprocatory, member and adapted to disengage the arm from said projection.

4. In a soap-press, the combination of a matrix-pocket, an upper die, a reciprocatory stem carrying said upper die, a reciprocatory member adapted to operate said stem, a spring interposed between said reciprocatory member and said stem, a lower die in said pocket, a reciprocatory stem for said lower die, a reciprocatory rod operatively connected to said reciprocatory member, an arm on said rod adapted toengage a projec-i tion on said lower stem and raise said lower die, a spring tending to force said arm into engagement with the projection on said stem, and cam mechanism synchronized with said reciprocatory member and adapted to move said arm against the pull of said spring to disengage said projection and permit said lower stem to return to normal.

5. In a soap-press, the combination of a matrix-pocket, a lower die member in said pocketand having a depending stem, means for raising said die member and stem to cake said pusher.

I conveying fveyer to the fieldof said main pusher.

disengaging said I raising 'means' from a said event of its failuretoff t'allq 7;

, 6. i In a soap press, the combinationgwitha matrix and appairQ of oldie-member's j adapted to receive andLStamp afblanknlot a blank feeding and dellverymechan sm comprlsing a horizontal endless, belt conveyer for feedthe blanks, 'delivery conveyer on one side of and in ciprocatorynmain pusher on the other 'sideof line therewith, in line with j a line with'said matrix, a rea said matrix in said delivery conveyer and alongside of and parallel with said feeding-conveyer, and adapted {to push the blankinto the field of said matrixandto push the completed cake into engagement with said delivery c'onveyer, and means for conveying the blank from said feeding-conveyer to the field of I 7. In a soap-press, the combination with a matrix" and a pair of die-members adapted to receive and stamp ablank, of a blankfeeding and delivering mechanism comprising ahorizontal endless belt conveyer for feeding the blanks, adelivery-conveyer on one side ofand in" linewith said matrix, a reciprocatory main pusher on the other side of'said matrixin line therewith, in line with said delivery-conveyer and alongside of and parallel with said feeding conveyer, and adapted to push the blank into the field of said matrix and topush the completed cake into engagement with said delivery-conveyer, and'fa reciprocatory cross-pusher for.

the blank from said feeding-con- 8; Ina soapapre'ss, the combination with a matrix and a pair of die-members adapted to receive and stamp a blank, of a blankfeeding and delivering mechanism'comprising a horizontal endlessbelt conveyer for feeding the'blanks, a horizontalendless belt conveyer for delivering the blanks located on one side of said matrix,,a reciprocatory main pusher alongside of and parallel with said feeding conveyer and located in line with and on the other side of said matrix and adapted to push the blank into register with said matrix and to push the completed cake therefrom into thefield of saiddeliveryconveyer, and a reciprocating cross-pusher adapted to push the blank from said feeding-conveyer into the field of said main pusher. I I I j 9. In a soap-press, the combination with a matrix and a pair of die-members adapted to receive and stamp a blank, of a blank-feed a horizontal endless belt conveyer for feed Reject thecakeot soapthere f rom, means I stem, and-meansfor'forcingisaidzstemrido ,,to its normal po'sitionin said pocketqin the j ing and delivering mechanism comprising ing the blanksyan endlessibelt conveyer on one side of, in line with-said matrix and parallel with said teedm'g conveyer a reap 

